The B

Oh yeah!, I totally forgot about that place (great bean soup). My Grandfather told me to go there when I told him I moved to Tampa. He ate there while in the service...that's how much history is there.

Gator911

For some nice waterfront dinning i suggest Salt Rock Grill in Indian Rocks Beach(it might be Indian Shores)

It is a very nice restraunt but not so quiet that you dont want to have fun like say a Ruth Chris. It is also on the water/beach. They have a huge wine selection and great decor...

BTW Shells is terrible. Eating frozen seafood in Florida is just not worth it IMO. It is like ordering a steak at Chili's. OK but not what you want when looking for a good steak...

Chaos

How far a drive is Sarasota ?
Any good one night places there ?

CosmosC4S

There's a Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota.

programmatore

The story behind my visit to Mons Venus is pretty funny. I used to work for one of the Big 5 consulting companies and had an assignment to work in Tampa for 3 months. My team and I used to fly from DC to Tampa on Mondays and fly back on Fridays. We would take turns renting the car (one week I would charge it on my credit card, the next week my manager would charge it on his, etc.)

One night we all went out to dinner at Bern's -- steaks at the dining room then desserts and drinks at the dessert room. We were all pretty tired after the big meal and went back to the hotel after dinner. I was getting ready to go to bed when I got a phone call in my room. It was my manager.

Manager: It's me. Let's go.
Me: Go where?
Mgr: You know. The club.
Me: Damn. I'm tired. I was just going to call it a night.
Mgr: You have to go. You have the rental car. Meet you downstairs in 10 minutes.

So I drove the rental car to Mons Venus and we hung out there for a couple of hours. We had a few drinks, a couple of lap dances, then took off.

Fast forward a couple of days later -- expense report time. I get a call from my manager.

Mgr: Can you come to my office? I have a question about your expense report.
Me: Sure. I'll be right there.

I walk over to his office.

Me: Is there a problem?
Mgr: Yeah, you put down $100 in "miscellaneous tips." What is that for?
Me: Oh, that. You remember? You were there. Miscellaneous tips in ones and twenties...
Mgr: Approved.

red911c2

Go to Berns and make sure you order the onion soup... Amazing!

Here's a few others (we lived in St Pete until 2 years ago):

4th Street Shrimp Store - nice for a casual lunch, it's in St Pete around 4th street and 24th Avenue

Frenchy's on Clearwater beach - casual bar/restaurant right on the beach

Lee Roy Selmons by International Plaza in Tampa - try the fried green tomatoes

Oh yeah, Mons is quite a place. I haven't been there since the mid 90's but it was a blast back then.

programmatore

By the way, it has been years but we used to go to Skipper's Smokehouse for some gator tail and beers. I remember them having pretty good gator tails and shrimp and stuff but I may have just been drunk on the beer.

http://www.skipperssmokehouse.com

Gator911

One night as in hotel? Yes, the Ritz amongst others...

One night as in dinner reservations? Yes, Euphemia Haye or Ophelia's. They are some of the best.

Sarasota also has one of the top rated beaches in the world in Siesta Key...